Salt shaker



E. W. RANCK SALT SHAKER July 12, 1949.

Filed Jan. 14, 1947 kwm P Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE SALT SHAKER Esta William Ranck, Guaynabo, P. R.

Application January 14, 1947, Serial No. 722,027

1 Claim. 1

My present invention has for its object to provide a salt shakerdesigned and constructed to overcome the effect of the humidity in theair upon the salt which renders it difficult to discharge the contentsof the shaker.

Another object of my invention is to provide a salt shaker equipped withan electric resistance unit suitably arranged so that when it is nototherwise in use it may be connected to a house lighting circuit,preferably by the use of an adapter in the nature of a standard plugfitting for attachment to the usual circuit outlet fixture.

To these and other ends my invention has for its object to providefurther improvements in construction, all as will be fully described inthe accompanying specification, the novel features thereof being setforth in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a salt shaker constructed in accordancewith my invention shown in its position of attachment to a standardcircuit plug,

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the shaker, and

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification.

Similar reference characters in the several figures indicate similarparts.

Table salt being hygroscopic readily absorbs or condenses moisture fromthe atmosphere causing its crystals to adhere more or less closely andwhen a quantity thereof is confined in a shaker receptacle these moistcrystals stick to the edges of the perforations in the shaker :toprendering it diflicult to discharge in the usual manner such quantitiesas may be desired in the seasoning of food. In order to overcome thissomewhat annoying difficulty I have devised a shaker which may beelectrically heated and maintained at such a temperature between mealsas to overcome the effects of humidity in the surrounding air withoutinjury to the salt per se.

In carrying out my invention I provide a receptacle in the nature of ahollow body I composed of glass, metal, porcelain, or a plasticcomposition and of such diameter that its open inner end will fit overthe circular boss 2 of a standard jack plug 3 having the usual prongs 4for insertion in an outlet fitting with which house circuits areuniversally equipped, to provide circuit branches, as will beunderstood. Plugs such as indicated by 3 are of the multiple contacttype so that within the boss there are disposed openings which exposeinsulated contacts (not shown) in circuit with the prongs 4. Toaccomplish the fitting of the parts I provide arcuate cutouts 5 atopposite sides of the lower end of the receptacle I yet have amplestraight edges ii which form a base for supporting the receptacle in anupright position when it is removed from the plug 3.

The lower end of the body I encircling the boss in addition to beingrecessed to receive the boss 2 is made of suificient depth, as indicatedby the inner annular shoulder 1, to carry an insulatillg disc 8. Thelatter may be secured permanently in place by a press fit or otherwise,and serves as the carrier for a pair of prongs 9 which when the body Iis mounted on the plug 3 enter the latter and eifect a circuit contactwith the prongs 4. The prongs 9 extend through the disc 8 and theirinner supported ends serve as terminals across which a resistance suchas a Wire II] in Fig. 2, or an incandescent lamp I l, as shown in Fig,3, may be connected. Whichever form of heating element is used it willbe designed for a fractional watt consumption of the available currentsource and will be proportioned to the size of the shaker body I.

It is desirable only to heat the body I at a low temperature as thisdissipates or prevents the humidity from reaching the salt and althoughthe warmth of the body may be transferred to the salt contained thereinit is incidental. In order to obviate decrepidating the crystals formingthe salt body I preferably arrange the salt chamber I2, as shown in Fig.2, with side walls [3 spaced from the inner walls of the body I and itsbottom !4 spaced from the resistance I!) thus providing an air space l5surrounding chamber l2. If it is desired to make the salt chamberintegral with the body I, as shown in Fig. 3, its lower end should bespaced from the heater sufficiently to provide an air chamber, asindicated at !6. The salt chamber is normally closed by a screw cap I!threaded to the receptacle l, and provided with the customaryperforations IS.

A salt shaker embodying my invention is especially adapted for use inany locality where a generally prevailing high degree of humidityexists. By incorporating the heating element within the receptacle it isalways in readiness for attachment to a circuit connecting plug and incase of continued inclement or rainy weather may be fitted theretobetween meals, or as occasion may indicate.

I claim:

An electrically heated salt shaker comprising a tubular container havinga salt chamber in its sulating disc secured within the lower end of the10 container between said cut away portions and the bottom of the saltchamber and forming an air chamber, an electric heating element locatedin the air chamber and circuit terminals con- 4 nected therewithextending through and carried by the disc for engagement with thelateral circuit terminals in the plug.

ESTA WILLIAM RANCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,946,840 Cox Feb, 13, 19341,993,330 Latiolais Mar. 5, 1935 2,398,939 Horn Apr. 23, 1946

